Rough Trade plan new giant shop

Influential record shop Rough Trade are planning to launch a giant megastore-sized shop in London, according to reports.

The store, responsible for the acclaimed ‘Rough Trade Shops’ series of compilations, are planning the move to take on digital sales of music and will refocus on physical records.

One of Rough Trade’s store directors, Stephen Godfroy, would not yet confirm details regarding the opening of the east end venue in Brick Lane, but told The Independent: “We are looking to make an official announcement in the next few weeks.

“Our aim is to deliver something we feel has been missing in this country for far too long; an environment that celebrates music as an exciting art form, not just another commercial commodity – but on a scale that is a departure from the traditional perception of an independent record shop.”

In addition to selling traditional, physical music media, the new store will also be used as a gig venue.

Godfroy continued: “The music industry seems to have a lot of doom and gloom about it at the moment, despite people’s passion for music being as strong as ever. We certainly hope to put some smiles back on faces with something that reflects the true public appetite for exciting new music.”

Rough Trade opened its first store in Kensington Park Road in 1976 and currently has two other stores, both based in London with one in Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden and the other in Talbot Road, near Portobello Road.

The chain also previously had stores in Tokyo and Paris, though they eventually closed due to global recession.

The establishment of the store also led to the creation of the Rough Trade Records label that was responsible for launching the likes of The Smiths, The Libertines and Arcade Fire, although the two arms of the operation went their separate ways in 1983.